Author: By E. Spencer Kyte

With the UFC light heavyweight division spending a great deal of time in the spotlight this year, it’s surprising that Alexander Gustafsson hasn’t garnered more attention.

Not that the 24-year-old from Stockholm is complaining.

Despite a three-fight winning streak that includes a televised second round technical knockout win over Matt Hamill at UFC 133 in August, Gustafsson has remained outside of the torrent of media coverage generated by Jon Jones‘ climb to the top of the 205-pound division. While various others have been drawn into the storm, the 12-1 talent has not, leaving him plenty of time to focus on more important things.

“For me, the focus is always my training and my fight; that’s what I have in my head all the time — training and training and training. It doesn’t really matter how much attention I get.

“If I have a lot of media, for me it doesn’t really matter; I just train and that is my focus. A little media is also very good though, but I stay focused all the time.”

For the second time this year, “The Mauler” has set his focus on veteran Vladimir Matyushenko.

Originally scheduled to meet at UFC 133, Matyushenko was forced to withdraw from the contest due to injury, setting up the aforementioned bout with Hamill. Following Gustafsson’s destruction of the former Ultimate Fighter standout, the UFC re-booked the wily veteran and the promising youngster, slotting them on the pay-per-view portion of the final event of the year.

“For me it’s an honor,” Gustafsson said of the chance to make his pay-per-view debut. “I’ve wanted to fight on pay-per-view for so long, and now I have the chance, so I’m just happy to fight on the main card. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Arguably the top prospect in the talent-rich light heavyweight division, Gustafsson has serious knockout power, as exhibited in his UFC debut against Jared Hamman and his second-round victory over Hamill in August. Equally impressive has been the dedication he’s shown to his ground game and the results those efforts have already started to yield.

After suffering the only loss of his career in a bout again Phil Davis at UFC 112, Gustafsson started training with the unbeaten former Penn State wrestling standout and the team at Alliance MMA in San Diego, California. In each of his next two outings, the knockout artist finished the fight on the ground, submitting both Cyrille Diabate and James Te Huna by rear naked choke.

“I’m a striker — that’s my bread and butter. I keep the fight on my feet and trade, but like everything else — all the other skills — you need to be good at them, and that’s something I need to train.

“I train everything, even my striking, and that’s something you need to have with you all the time. Not just train what you’re good at, but also what you’re bad at — that’s how you get better.”

Gustafsson has continued to train both at home in Sweden and with the team at Alliance alongside the likes of Davis, UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, heavyweight Joey Beltran, and fellow UFC 141 competitor Ross Pearson. The soft-spoken and humble 24-year-old is grateful to have the opportunity, and recognizes the evolution of his talents.

“I’m based in Stockholm; that’s where I’m training most of the time. When I have a fight coming up, I go to Alliance with Eric del Fierro and the guys there. I go forth-and-back all the time. I like it a lot — it’s something I’m really glad I get to do.

“I’ve had a lot of improvements. I feel much better in every category; I’m getting better every day, and improving every day. It’s the best coaches in the world, the best fighters in the world, and the best team in the world, so I’m just honored to be a part of the team, have a good time, and train hard.”

Gustafsson is also grateful the opportunity to step into the cage with a talented veteran like Matyushenko.

“Finally I can fight him; it’s been so long now. He’s a really tough guy, and I want to fight the best, so I’m really looking forward to the fight. I think it will be a really tough, tough fight.”

This fight is a litmus test for Gustafsson, one that has the potential to propel him to new heights entering 2012.

As UFC President Dana White is quick to remind people, Matyushenko is a tough out for anyone. The man who fought Tito Ortiz for the light heavyweight title at UFC 33 is a powerful wrestler with “old man strength” who has used his experience, guile, and a underrated striking to garner four wins in five fights since returning to the UFC following a six-year hiatus in 2009.

The only man to topple Matyushenko since his return was Jon Jones, who capped off his 2010 campaign with a win over “The Janitor” before embarking on his championship run this past year.

While Gustafsson might not follow the same path as the current light heavyweight champion if he’s able to come away from UFC 141 with a victory, securing a fourth consecutive win against a well-respected veteran like Matyushenko will open some eyes, and elevate the soon-to-be 25-year-old from prospect to contender.

Just as he hasn’t been caught up in all the attention surrounding his division over the last year, Gustafsson isn’t worried about where this fight will take him and what’s next in his career either. He prefers to keep things simple instead.

“Just have fun — have fun training, take one fight at a time, and try to win all my fights. That’s my goal right now — to win this fight and have fun doing it.”

Heading into his meeting with Igor Pokrajac at UFC 140, Krzysztof Soszynski is focused on one thing: entertaining the fans.

Riding a two-fight winning streak into his second fight on home soil this year, the Winnipeg, Manitoba product doesn’t offer any of the standard clichés about stringing together victories, making a run at the title, or this being his time. Instead, he’s refreshingly candid and honest about where he stands and what he sets out to do when he steps into the cage.

“I don’t have the greatest talent when it comes to mixed martial arts. I’m not a great striker, great wrestler, a good jiu-jitsu guy — I feel like I’m decently well rounded, but the one thing I like to go do is put exciting fights on.

“It’s not about winning or losing to be honest. I have losses on my record because I fought so many tough guys earlier in my career. I’m going to lose fights — fighters are going to lose fights — but it’s how you lose them.

“As long as I’m going out there, putting on a great performance, impressing the fans, impressing the UFC, then I’m going to be very happy and I’ll continue on fighting in the UFC for a long time. That’s my goal.”

Since graduating to the UFC from Season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter, Soszynski has amassed a 6-2 record, a mark that indicates he might be selling himself short in his self-assessment.

After collecting a trio of victories to start his UFC career, the 34-year-old one-time professional wrestler was bested by Brandon Vera at UFC 102. A pair of entertaining and violent battles with Stephan Bonnar followed, first at UFC 110, and then again five months later at UFC 116.

He lost the second meeting with Bonnar, but has since earned a pair of unanimous decision victories, most recently defeating Mike Massenzio at UFC 131 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Though he’s happy to earn the victories, Soszynski wasn’t overly pleased with his performance in either of his most recent wins. The bouts lacked the excitement Soszynski prides himself on bringing to the cage, the kind of excitement he created with Bonnar.

“My last two were a little dullish — I was fighting guys that wanted to take me down rather than stand and strike with me, so I’ve been wanting to best those fights. The two previous ones that were with Stephan Bonnar were absolute wars.

“I love those kind of fights; it was such a pleasure to fight him, and have such a great battle with him. It was awesome, and I always look forward to those kinds of fights. Those are the fights that people are going to want to see, and people are going to want to watch those fighters fight, so that’s definitely something that I want to keep doing with my career.”

Originally scheduled to meet in June, Soszynski hopes that he and Pokrajac can deliver the kind of back-and-forth slugfest that gets fans out of their seats now that they are finally going to stand opposite each other in the Octagon.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it. I was a little disappointed when he had to pull out of the last fight in Vancouver because of an injury,” he said. “I really like his style — he’s a good kickboxer, likes to stand-and-bang, likes to go toe-to-toe, which I’m really excited about.

“Those are the kind of fights that I want. He might maybe look to take me down, but I’m going to be ready for everything, like I always am. I’m hoping he wants to stand-and-bang, have a fun fight with me, but if it goes to the ground, it goes to the ground; I’m pretty good there too.”

The hulking light heavyweight with the disarming smile is also pretty good in front of a camera and on film.

With a role in the upcoming Kevin James MMA vehicle Here Comes the Boom and fresh off serving as Mickey Rourke’s stunt double in Immortals, Soszynski has enjoyed the challenges that have come his way outside the cage. But make no mistake about it — his new adventures remain secondary to his career inside the Octagon.

“For right now, I’m having a lot of opportunities outside of fighting coming my way, and I’m exploring those opportunities as well; they’re great. They’re fun because it’s something completely different from what I’m used to doing, so it’s nice to have those opportunities. But first and foremost, I’m a fighter; that’s how I make my living, and I’m really looking forward to continuing that.”

While the prospect of hanging up the four-ounce gloves is something many fighters struggle with, Soszynski knows that time is coming for him.

“It’s kind of see what happens and take it as it comes. I spoke with my family — I spoke with my wife — and we’ve kind of discussed that I don’t have much time left. I’ll be one of the first guys to admit to you that my body was never meant for this sport. I’ve known that from the start, and I know that now for sure.

“I’m surprised how far I’ve gotten in this sport with the body that I have, and all the injuries that I’ve been dealing with, but I just take it day-by-day with each fight. Depending on how I feel after this fight, if I have one more year left, I’ll talk to Joe Silva about that. If I have two more years left, we’ll talk to Joe Silva about that.”

Next up, he’ll be on location at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, standing under the bright lights inside the Octagon, working without a script, unsure of the outcome, but hopeful that he’ll entertain.

“I’m not very good at predictions; I’m not a big fan,” he laughs. “What I can tell you is that I’m 100-percent ready, physically and mentally. I’m looking to go in there, throw a lot of punches, a lot of kicks, and go toe-to-toe with Igor.

“Whatever situation comes to me, I’ll be ready. I’m just looking forward to putting on a great fight for all the fans in Toronto and all the fans that will be watching on Ion TV.”

When Mitch Clarke’s manager called him with the news that his fight with Evolution Fighting Championships was cancelled, the unbeaten Canadian was irritated, but only momentarily.

Instead of fighting on the regional circuit, Clarke would be fighting on the biggest stage of them all, squaring off with John Cholish at UFC 140 in Toronto on December 10. Irritation gave way to surprise, and has now been replaced by excitement according to Clarke.

“When it happened, I was more stunned than anything. It’s not something that I really expected. I expected maybe fighting some guys from TUF, some ex-UFC’ers to basically try and earn my way there, so I was just stunned. I was happy too, but mostly it just hits you all at once, and now it’s very real.

“I’m the first Saskatchewan-born fighter to get signed by the UFC. It’s a tremendous opportunity; I’m real excited, and I think it’s going to be a good time.”

Every trip into the cage has been a good time for Clarke thus far. The University of Saskatchewan graduate has never tasted defeat, carrying a perfect 9-0 record into his debut. While there is certainly pressure attached to making your initial appearance in the UFC — and perhaps some added pressure of being a Canadian debuting on Canadian soil — Clarke is keeping it all in perspective.

“It is a big deal, but if I was fighting John Cholish on a smaller show, I probably wouldn’t have the same emotions. But at the same time, it is a big deal, so you’ve got to treat it like it’s a big deal, but not think about it so much.

“It’s really hard not to get caught up in the moment, but at the same time, when I’m in the gym, I’m working. I don’t want to always be thinking about it because that’s where you see guys stumble — they get caught up in the Octagon jitters, their first UFC.

“I think there is just as much pressure (on both of us) because it’s in the UFC. I think it’s possible that because it’s in Canada — well I hope I get a little bit of support, being Canadian, but I also have to look at the fact that New York is closer to Toronto than Edmonton or Saskatoon.

“I don’t think it’s too much added pressure. Some people know him, not a lot of people know me; I just want to go out there and fight well more than anything.”

Unlike some UFC neophytes who are welcomed to the Octagon by an experienced veteran, both Clarke and Cholish will be making their maiden voyage into the UFC cage in Toronto.

“Hopefully he kinda has those Octagon jitters,” Clarke said of his opponent. “He fought in Strikeforce, so he has a little bit more experience in that sense, but both of us are coming into the UFC for the first time. Both of us are prospects — I think — and I think the real winners are the UFC and the fans because I think we’re both going to lay it on the line.”

In addition to his core team of trainers and coaches, the Edmonton-based Clarke made the trip to Victoria, British Columbia in preparation for this fight to work with Adam Zugec.

“I’m real happy that I added Zugec to this training camp. He’s wanted me to come out for a while. The guy’s an MMA genius in my opinion; he knows so much, and knows everything so well. He’s got a well-run system for his school, and his whole team is so good.”

Tucked away on Vancouver Island, Zugec is a rising star in the coaching ranks. The head coach and trainer of former Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion Sarah Kaufman, Zugec not only helped Clarke prepare for what to expect from Cholish inside the cage, but the experience of fighting on the big stage as well.

“The funny thing is that you’re going to the UFC, but on the undercard, it’s usually dead; it’s kind of interesting,” offered Zugec. “You’ve been fighting your whole career to get to the UFC — which is the Super Bowl to you — but you start off on the undercard, so you’ve got to be prepared for the shock of there not being a lot of people there during your fight.

“I think there is a shock there because it’s such a massive ordeal to you — it’s a big event, everybody wants to go, it will be sold out — but then when you’re fighting, it’s dead. I think that’s an interesting thing that you have to prepare yourself for. You’re expecting 50,000 people to be screaming, and there are 106.  I think there is a psychological aspect to that.”

“I think those first UFC fights are big psychological barriers. I’m going to have him cutting weight with some very experienced fighters that will be on the same show, so I think that’s always helpful as well.”

Zugec, who has a close relationship with Greg Jackson and frequently works with the all-star cast from Albuquerque, said he’ll have Clarke preparing with UFC light heavyweight champion and UFC 140 headliner Jon Jones throughout the week in Toronto.

It’s just another element that adds to Clarke’s dream-come-true story.

“It’s not something I expected,” said the Saskatoon native. “You see so many really good fighters fight for years and never even touch the UFC, so to be able to be in the UFC — and fighting in Canada in the UFC — is a big deal; it’s awesome really. It’s where everyone wants to be, and that’s awesome.”

This year has been full of impressive debuts, entertaining fights, and new contenders announcing their presences, but Brian Ebersole might be the only man on the UFC roster to hit all three marks in the last 11 months.

An injury to Carlos Condit opened the Octagon door for the veteran of more than 60 fights. The Indiana native now based out of Melbourne, Australia stepped in to face veteran Chris Lytle at UFC 127 in February, and hasn’t looked back since.

After getting the better of Lytle in an entertaining contest that earned Fight of the Night honors in Sydney, Ebersole returned to action against in August, stopping Dennis Hallman in a bout that is more memorable for his opponent’s attire than Ebersole’s first round finish.

“I was in the Octagon when he came out,” said Ebersole of his UFC 133 meeting with Hallman and his barely-there trunks. “I didn’t see the shorts until he began stretching; I reckon he was peacocking out in the middle of the cage. I laughed, and thought, `he just made me famous’ because everyone would be talking about this fight.”

Hallman’s choice in attire definitely sparked a lot of conversation; it also raised the ire of UFC President Dana White, who awarded Ebersole a $70,000 “Getting those horrifying shorts off TV as soon as possible” bonus after the fight. The 31-year-old welterweight says he put the money to good use.

“I thought it fit nicely into my bank account.  My UFC 127 bonus money was getting lonely.”

Ebersole took a different path to the UFC, racking up more bouts by the time he was 30 than many fighters could accrue in two careers. This time last year, you’d be hard pressed to find many UFC fans who knew his name, let alone expected to see him on the fringes of contending in the welterweight division.

He concedes it has been an unlikely voyage from competing across Australia to contending in the UFC, but Ebersole says he hasn’t done anything that should be considered unexpected yet and is happy to be where he is at this stage of his career.

“I’m no Nostradamus and wouldn’t have placed a bet on that outcome, but I sure wouldn’t have thought it impossible. And really, I haven’t done anything `surprising’ yet; I mean, I was the favorite in the bouts at UFC 127 & 133.

“I think I could have won some bouts as a 20-something in the UFC, but I’m happy with the timing.  I have a real chance to finish my career on the UFC roster, which is how I’d want it, and anyone would want it — retiring on top.”

Retirement, however, is not what he’s been preparing for over the last few months.

First it was Rory MacDonald, the impressive young Canadian who has also put himself on the list of potential contenders in the UFC’s 170-pound division in 2011. Early last month, MacDonald was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an injury, forcing Ebersole to shift his focus to another Canadian, Claude Patrick.

“After I’d accepted the fact that I was competing [against] Rory, I had my mind focused on the task. Yes, the change came as a disappointment — for one day.  Then I had to realign my thoughts toward Claude Patrick and the new — though much the same — task at hand.”

That task is to walk into Toronto and put an end to Patrick’s 13-fight winning streak in his own backyard, a task that Ebersole is quite familiar with.

“I’ve done this many times, hence the nickname `Bad Boy’ I was given by an Australian promotion. I’m the guy that beats people up in front of their home crowd.”

He’s also the guy who steps into the cage with patterns and messages shaved into his ample chest hair.

After debuting “The Hairrow” to the UFC audience in Australia, Ebersole looked to switch it up heading into UFC 133, taking suggestions from fans through an online contest. As for what’s in store for this weekend, Ebersole won’t offer any hints other than he’ll be the one to determine the design.

“You’ll have to wait and see; got a bit going on there. I tried to turn over creative control at 133, but the fans sort of let me down a bit. I mean, they tried — they had a play — [but] some weren’t too serious with their entries; I could tell.

“In the end, there was nothing viable — nothing that would actually stick out enough to be recognized and that had a decent message.  Downward arrows, bow ties, and hearts did not sway me to stray from `The Hairrow!’”

Ebersole also isn’t offering any predictions on how things will play out with Patrick Saturday night in Toronto either, explaining he’s not a fan of all the pre-fight analysis and predictions.

“This is why we watch sports,” responded when asked how this weekend’s matchup breaks down. “Who cares about pre-fight banter?  Really?  I can’t stand watching former NFL players — and AFL in Australia — flop their bollocks all afternoon about how this team matches up with that one, about how this quarterback struggles on Monday Night games, this coach hasn’t won a game in ______ Stadium, and so on and so forth.

“It’s all a waste of effort, because the game has to be played. Right or wrong with your ‘predictions,’ it’s still a waste of effort. Go be productive, and just show up on game day with an open mind and an open beer.”

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have thoughts on what comes next and where a victory over Patrick would put him; they’re just not your typical pre-fight platitudes — they’re entertaining and original, just like Ebersole.

“It puts me at Niagara Falls with two Australians that I love, and leaves me wanting to enjoy the view, where a loss would see me wanting to take a barrel over the Falls.

“The next step? Enjoy Christmas and go home to coach my former high school.  It’ll be a good time on the mats at BBCHS this year.”

TJ Dillashaw entered the Ultimate Fighter house with a singular focus.

And as Saturday night’s live season 14 finale at the Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas approaches, the up-and-comer labeled a “draft dodger” by some of his teammates is one win away from reaching his goal.  All that stands in his way is Team Mayhem’s John Dodson.

“I went in there to win the competition, not just be on TV, be entertaining, and have people know me,” said the 25-year-old. “I want people to know me from past the show and what I’m going to do in the future. I went in there thinking `this is a competition; I’ve gotta think about myself a little bit here.’ There were a lot of guys there that were happy just to be there, and that’s where they made their mistake.”

Viewed as one of the favorites in the bantamweight competition, Dillashaw was criticized by his teammates for lobbying to face Roland Delorme in the quarterfinal round, leaving his teammate John Albert to face Dodson. For the talented Cal State Fullerton alum, it was all about sticking to his game plan, and working his way to the finals.

“I knew John Dodson was a very tough fight. He’s a very athletic, quick guy, so I knew he’d be a pretty tough fight. Looking at the other guys’ backgrounds and watching their fights, I thought some of them had some holes in their games and I wanted to take advantage of it.

“Yeah, I could have fought who I thought was the toughest guy right off the bat, but that’s just not the smartest decision. My quarterfinal fight was six days before my semifinal fight, and I wanted to make sure I was healthy all the way through this tournament.

“If I had a barnburner fight or I was to get cut and still win the match, I wouldn’t be able to compete any more. I learned from Melvin Guillard and Josh Burkman — two of the very best guys paired up in the first round.

“Burkman was a tough guy and he was like, `I’ll fight Melvin’ when no one else wanted to do it. He won the fight but breaks his arm in the process, and they’re both out of the tournament. Dana White was pissed about it.”

In addition to taking a strategic approach to his time in the house, Team Bisping’s representative in the bantamweight finals said he also benefitted from being a part of one of the top teams in the sport prior to entering the competition.

Dillashaw is a part of Team Alpha Male, the Sacramento-based camp that included Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, and Joseph Benavidez. Widely regarded as the best collection of lighter weight fighters in the sport, the undefeated TUF 14 finalist said that his teammates played a big part in his success on the show.

“They’re a huge part of where I am today. I’ve always known that I’m a good athlete and that I can compete, but then coming into a gym where everybody cares about how their partners are doing, and how well we improve each other has given me all the confidence in the world.

“I’m able to hang with these guys that are top of the world in my weight class,” he continued. “They’re world-class guys who are fighting for titles or have fought for titles; they know what to do to prepare for that. They prepared me for every fight I had before the house. I’ve prepared like a world champion, and that’s a huge, huge confidence boost.”

Those same teammates will be helping Dillashaw prepare to face Dodson in what is easily the biggest fight of his career.

Having thus far only competed at regional events in California, Saturday’s bout will be his first time stepping under the bright lights and in front of the cameras, but the confident prospect isn’t worried about Octagon jitters or getting swept up in the moment.

“I think going through those situations in the UFC already is going to help me out a lot,” he said of having cornered his teammates at previous UFC events. “Obviously I haven’t experienced it yet, but from what I’ve seen, I think it’s going to be easier because I know everybody that runs the shows.

“I know how everything works. I know how we’re going to get prepared, what we’re going to have to do in the locker room, and the bright lights and the crowds — obviously it’s not me out there competing, but I almost get more nervous when Urijah or one of the guys is competing than when I’m out there myself.”

It’s just another way training with the likes of Faber, Mendes, and Benavidez has helped prepare him for this weekend.

“Ultimately, this is entertainment; people want to see good fights and that’s what I want to bring. I want to go one hundred miles per hour the entire fight, and what happens happens. That’s why I don’t think I’m going to get nervous or too pumped up by the crowd; I’m just going to go out there and have fun.”

Of course, that’s not to say Dillashaw doesn’t have a plan for completing his mission.

“John Dodson has been talking a little bit of crap about me, and I just want to make him look like a fool. He wants to talk all this crap about how I’m dodging him and how I want to take the easier way and how I think that the world revolves around me; I just want to kind of put him in his place.

“I’m planning on finishing him and getting one of those bonuses as well. I’m going to make a statement on Saturday.”

Everyone knows that Urijah Faber wants another chance to wrest the UFC bantamweight title away from his nemesis, Dominick Cruz.

“The California Kid” thought he had done enough to accomplish the feat at UFC 132 in July.  Over 25 minutes, Faber and Cruz went back and forth, combining to deliver one of the most entertaining fights of 2011 as the first bantamweight duo to headline a UFC Pay-Per-View in the organization’s history.

When the scorecards were read, Cruz’s hands were raised as Faber threw his head back in disbelief. Four months later, the charismatic former WEC featherweight champion is one win away from earning a place opposite Cruz inside the Octagon once again.

“I think it’s pretty high up there,” said Faber of where a trilogy bout with Cruz rests on his personal “To Do” list. “He has the belt and that’s what I want; that’s the pinnacle of this sport, to be UFC champ, and that’s where I want to be. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get back in with him, but I’ve got to earn it, and that means beating Brian Bowles.”

Tucked into the third position on Saturday night’s UFC 139 event, the pairing of Faber and Bowles matches two former WEC champions hungry to once again stand across the cage from the current 135-pound king.

Despite his championship pedigree, Bowles isn’t as well known as some of the other fighters in the bantamweight division — a former world champion who currently competes in anonymity in the UFC. While his own star shines brighter than most amongst the lighter weight fighters, Faber knows that fan recognition isn’t going to be a factor in determining Saturday night’s outcome.

“The thing that matters most is that I entertain, I dominate, and I show my skills. I wish that it made a difference that nobody knows who Brian Bowles is, but it doesn’t. He doesn’t care about that. He’s going to go in and fight tooth and nail, and that will make for a great fight.

“It’s going to be best man wins, and I believe that’s going to be me, and I’m going to do it in a dominating, exciting fashion. That’s what it’s about for me — putting my best foot forward, having fun doing it, and making sure everyone else has fun while I’m doing it also.”

As much as he’s itching for a chance to face Cruz for a third time, Faber isn’t overlooking Bowles, not in the least.

“I know he’s got a strong skill set. He’s a dangerous guy because he goes for broke, which are the kind of fighters I like. He’s got a heavy overhand right, solid standup all around, and a lot of good chokes. He’s pretty good at everything, but I think I’m going to have an edge in every area.

“The one thing that you have to do is be respectful; respecting what he has to offer. He can knock guys out, he can choke guys out, and as soon as you think you’re above that — that it can’t happen to you — that’s when you see black belts like Wagnney Fabiano and Miguel Torres getting submitted by our guy, Joseph Benavidez.

“You’ve got to respect the fact that if somebody knows how to do something, you’ve vulnerable to it. That’s why I don’t get caught in anything; I’ve fought a lot of black belts and heavy punchers, and awareness is the key.”

In addition to being aware of Bowles’ abilities inside the cage, Faber also knows there are some who question his potential quick return to a championship bout.

Just four months after losing to Cruz at UFC 132, the 32-year-old leader of Team Alpha Male will earn another kick at the championship can with a win on Saturday night, a much faster return to title contention than is afforded to most contenders. To Faber, there is a simple explanation.

“It’s not really my concern, but what it comes down to is how many guys can beat me? I had a one-sided fight against Mizugaki. I had a one-sided fight against Eddie Wineland. I have the #2 guy in the world, Joseph Benavidez, as one of my training partners.

“Who else do you give that to? You give it to somebody that can beat me and you give it to guys that have a chance like Eddie Wineland or Brian Bowles, and the winner gets a title shot, and I’ve been winning those. Any opportunity they give me, I’ll take it, and they’re usually hard earned.”

Securing the chance to face Cruz for a third time is about more than hoping to win the rubber match in their personal battle; it’s about filling the one gap that remains on Faber’s resume.

“Getting that UFC title is a big goal on my list, and it’s what I’m shooting for, what I’m working for. I see improvements all the time, and especially now at the new weight, I have every advantage to win, so I’ve just got to make it happen.”

He was successful the last time he was in this position, earning a victory at UFC 128 and channeling YouTube celebrity Antoine Dodson while offering Cruz a warning in his post-fight interview.

Saturday night, Faber hopes history repeats itself, with a win over Bowles bringing him the chance to settle things once and for all with the UFC bantamweight champion. The only difference is that this time, he’s chosen to offer his warning to Cruz in advance.

“Dominick, I can hurt you, you can’t hurt me; we both know it. Run tell that, homeboy.”